Cool MateIncredible vs It was amazing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Incredible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
It was amazing
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Incredible
| Incredible | It was amazing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈkredəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt wəz əˈmeɪzɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ɪt wəz əˈmeɪzɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Very surprising or hard to believe. | It was very good or impressive. |
| Example | The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! | The performance was simply amazing. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to, be, seem, sound, really, truly, absolutely, to | absolutely amazing, quite amazing, truly amazing, simply amazing |
| Antonyms | ordinary, common, unremarkable | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'incredible' as a noun instead of an adjective., Confusing 'incredible' with 'incredulous' (which means unable to believe)., Overusing 'incredible' to describe everyday situations. | Using 'amazing' incorrectly in past tense contexts., Confusing 'amazing' with weaker adjectives like 'nice'., Using it in overly formal situations where a stronger adjective is preferred. |
| Usage notes | Use 'incredible' to describe something amazing or extraordinary. It is appropriate in both casual and serious contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. | Use 'It was amazing' to express strong approval or delight. Appropriate in casual conversation, as well as in writing. |
Frequently asked questions: Incredible vs It was amazing
What's the difference between Incredible and It was amazing?
Incredible: Very surprising or hard to believe. It was amazing: It was very good or impressive.
Which is more common: Incredible and It was amazing?
Incredible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Incredible: The magician's tricks were absolutely incredible! It was amazing: The performance was simply amazing.
Can I use Incredible and It was amazing interchangeably?
Not always. Incredible and It was amazing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.